Hezbollah says US behind blasts, Hariri says Syria staged them

Hezbollah accused the United States of being behind the the two suicide bombings that targeted security service buildings in Damascus on Friday, while former Lebanese PM accused Damascus of staging them .

“These blasts that resulted in the death (more…)

Dozens reported dead in explosions that rocked Syrian capital

At least 40 people are reported dead and more 100 injured, after two explosions ripped through the Syrian capital Damascus.

It is claimed two car bombs were detonated near security sites, causing widespread damage. (more…)

Nahhas: New wage hikes could result in many bankruptcy filings

Lebanon’s Economy and Trade Minister Nicolas Nahhas said on Friday that the economic institutions will not be able to implement the wage hikes recently decided by the cabinet and hinted that this could result in bankruptcy filings by many sectors of the economy, As Safir newspaper reported. (more…)

Syria says Lebanon warned it of Al-Qaeda infiltration

Syrian Foreign Ministry said that “Beirut warned Damascus that members of Al-Qaeda infiltrated Syria two days ago.”, Free Lebanon Radio reported.

The report comes after twin suicide bombings against security service buildings in Damascus on Friday left over 40 people dead and 100 wounded , in an attack Syria blamed on Al-Qaeda. (more…)

Suicide bombers strike government buildings in Damascus, SANA

Two suicide car bombs carrying “the blueprints of al Qaeda” exploded Friday outside the offices of two security branches in the Syrian capital of Damascus, state-run media reported. (more…)

Are the Proposed Minimum Wages Too High?

By Ghassan Karam

Minimum wages have always been very controversial and chances are that they will always be so. The idea is so contentious since it deals with one of the most sensitive ideas of a market economy,

Human Rights: More than 6,200 killed so far in Syria revolt

More than 6,200 people including hundreds of children have died in Syria’s crackdown on an anti-government revolt, a human rights group said on Thursday. (more…)

The new wage increase could result in major layoffs, report

Lebanese Association of Industrialists chief Nehme Efram rejected the cabinet’s latest decision on wage hikes and pledged not to implement the new wage plan

He told told MTV television on Thursday evening: “We will not accept” the cabinet’s latest decision to increase minimum wage and will not implement it”.

The cabinet voted on Wednesday to increase the minimum monthly wage from 500,000 LL to 868, 000 LL or about 74 % (more…)

Teachers’ union says wage hikes do not meet its demands

The Syndicate Coordination Committee which represents the Lebanese teachers rejected on Thursday the cabinet’s latest decision on wage hikes

Following the meeting, the committee said that the increase on the minimum monthly and daily wages “does not fulfill the demands of the Syndicate Coordination Committee,” National News Agency reported. (more…)

U.S. revises travel warning for Syria

The U.S. State Department said anti-foreigner sentiment in Syria is on the rise and warned of a possible reduction in consular services in the country. (more…)